My name is Herbert Jean-Baptiste. I got involved in the Labor movement because I believe in helping others, improving people's lives and fighting, for social justice. As an immigrant, it is a privilege for me to work in the Labor movement. In 1987, I arrived from Haiti , Where I was an activist. When I first came here I wanted to work in a place where there was a Union because I believe that with a Union there are protections and you have a say in your working conditions.
I wanted to have a say in bargaining wages. I started work at East Village Nursing Home in Lexington , MA in1989 and worked there for 11 years. Soon, I became active in the Union and in 1990, I became a Union delegates. I began to help my co-workers with their problems and difficulties on the job with management
Having been a delegate, I helped the nurses organize at the facility, the nurses saw that the Union was a force and they, too, fought to join the Union . Now, they too, have a contract, I had the chance to work as an intern for the union after I graduated from Banker Hill Committee College . I lobbied legislatures at the state House for wage increase for workers at East Village and for all nursing home workers. Through my work, All Nursing home workers in the State of Massachusetts received 45 millions dollars wage pass through money for pay increases.
My goal now is to ensure that we make history and educate all our nursing brothers and sisters and get them more involved in the union.
The First Annual Haitian Caucus Celebration
Consulat General de la republique d'Haiti.
Needless to say we will need to join hands to help our families and friends in Haiti during this catastrophic situation.
The initial effort is focused on saving as many lives as possible after the Haitian Prime Minister, Jean-Max Bellerive, said the death toll from the earthquake on Tuesday could reach ''well over 100,000''.
• Fill all delegate and leadership positions
• Train all newly elected delegates and leaders
• Expand Leader-in-Training program
• Engage 10% of all MA members in union actions
• Have a system to track and hold leaders accountable.
Become the leading voice for healthcare workers in winning and implementing health care reform
• Build and support a campaign to expand MA revenues to insure quality care and services for hospitals, clinics and longterm
care.
• Continue to increase membership sign-up for our Political Action Committee (PAC).